UPDATE: Spirit Lake man accused of murdering Jackson woman

Published by jwettschreck on Tuesday, December 10th, 2013

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SPIRIT LAKE, Iowa – A Spirit Lake man charged with murdering a Jackson woman made an initial court appearance this morning in Dickinson County District Court. Tailer James Handsaker, 21, of Spirit Lake is being held on a $500,000 bond.
The Dickinson County Sheriff's Office states deputies were called to 28th Street in rural Spirit Lake at 10:25 p.m. Sunday after getting a report of an unresponsive female. Authorities say the woman was deceased upon their arrival. She was identified as 36-year-old Sarah Renee Grimmius of Jackson.

Handsaker is charged with first degree murder and was booked into the Dickinson County Jail. Authorities say the case is still under investigation.

He has two previous convictions in Jackson County for under 21 consumption. A charge of controlled substance possession from 2010 was dismissed during a plea agreement several months later. Handsaker has been charged with underage consumption numerous times in Iowa courts, and has convictions of harassing a peace officer and carrying a weapon. He was been involved in plea agreements leading to the dismissal of charges such as disorderly conduct, assault and theft.

Dickinson County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Spirit Lake and Arnolds Park Police Departments, the Jackson County, Minnesota Sheriff's Office, Dickinson County Attorney's Office, Spirit Lake First Responders and Lakes Regional Healthcare ambulance.